Windows Home Server

PhillyDee · 7 Dec 2010 at 17:34

cottoneye said:
I'm just reading up about WHS, it's basically Win2003 underneath? I can install any additional software etc?

Is anyone using the HP MicroServer for streaming to a PS3 (PS3 Media Server) or for streaming content where transcoding on the fly is required, iPad for example using ffmpeg etc. I'm unsure if the system can handle and keep up with bare 720p let alone 1080p

Thanks

I stream to a PS3, I use Twonkyvision. It might be basically 2003 underneath, but it is stripped down, and easy to break.

jbs · 7 Dec 2010 at 18:37

My copy of WHS is on it's way and have some components on the way as well to complete a build I have with some spare parts.

Been reading up a bit to get myself prepared - looking at add-ins etc. Has anyone here tried there hand it writing an add-in? I see it is all free software so might just give that a go as soon as I can think of a good idea for an add-in. Ideas welcome but keep it simple for starters

Skeeter · 7 Dec 2010 at 20:09

Oh how I missed WHS...

I had a WHS box for a while but in June I came back from holiday to find it dead. The System drive had failed. Being in an old chassis with only DDR1 and SATA1.5 support I decided to wait for Vail.... and waited..... and waited......

Then when they announced DE would be dropped, imediately went and bought a new barebones PC and have my server back up with WHS.

If you have a number of PCs like me its brilliant. They are all now backed up nightly, all my important documents and media is on the server duplicated against HDD failure, and accessable from any PC.

Without DE, is there actually anything in Vail that is any improvement over WHS? Its starting to look like nothing more than a platform update to Server 2008, which will likely mean its dropped...

Destination · 7 Dec 2010 at 21:01

It does now simply appear to be a platform update with loss of a prime function.
No idea what they might pull out of the bag, but it seems a killer decision.

Tuvoc · 7 Dec 2010 at 22:00

Just to be clear - what you would buy today would be
Microsoft Windows Home Server w/Power Pack 3 - 1 server, 10 CALs

correct ?

wonder_lander · 7 Dec 2010 at 22:01

Tuvoc said:
Just to be clear - what you would buy today would be
Microsoft Windows Home Server w/Power Pack 3 - 1 server, 10 CALs

correct ?

Spot on!

tbz_ck · 8 Dec 2010 at 12:41

cottoneye said:
I'm just reading up about WHS, it's basically Win2003 underneath? I can install any additional software etc?

Is anyone using the HP MicroServer for streaming to a PS3 (PS3 Media Server) or for streaming content where transcoding on the fly is required, iPad for example using ffmpeg etc. I'm unsure if the system can handle and keep up with bare 720p let alone 1080p

Thanks

It is basically WIndows 2003 underneath. I have successfully remote desktop'ed into my WHS running on an HP MIcroserver and installed Spiceworks (www.spiceworks.com) in order to test remote site monitoring and help desk features. Not tried installing anything else so your mileage may vary.

easyrider · 9 Dec 2010 at 13:19

I am upgrading my server as I have sold the old kit and have bought some i3 stuff.

The current OS drive is 160GB and I have 5 x 2TB

Shall I chnage this config? Or leave the 160GB for the OS for the new server?

Qu3 · 9 Dec 2010 at 14:08

easyrider said:
I am upgrading my server as I have sold the old kit and have bought some i3 stuff.

The current OS drive is 160GB and I have 5 x 2TB

Shall I chnage this config? Or leave the 160GB for the OS for the new server?

No, thats fine, similar to my setup...

DE doesn't use the data partition of the OS drive as a landing zone now so it doesn't matter what size it is.. It'll just fill up one drive and move to the next.

easyrider · 9 Dec 2010 at 14:42

So I guess using a 2TB for the OS is a waste as it will never be used for data until the others are full?

geuben · 9 Dec 2010 at 14:47

jbs said:
My copy of WHS is on it's way and have some components on the way as well to complete a build I have with some spare parts.

Been reading up a bit to get myself prepared - looking at add-ins etc. Has anyone here tried there hand it writing an add-in? I see it is all free software so might just give that a go as soon as I can think of a good idea for an add-in. Ideas welcome but keep it simple for starters

I started writing one, only really tried a few tutorials though. Using visual studio (I used C#) it was very easy to make an addin that appears correctly in the connector.

PhillyDee · 9 Dec 2010 at 16:06

easyrider said:
So I guess using a 2TB for the OS is a waste as it will never be used for data until the others are full?

Correct, not really a waste though, as it will still use the rest when required. (Bar the first 20gb partition)

cavemanoc · 9 Dec 2010 at 16:15

I think of it more in terms of sata port limitations - getting a small drive for the OS would waste a Sata port, and I'm starting to run out...

platypus · 10 Dec 2010 at 11:30

Ok I want to upgrade my server to be able to play full hd 1080p content. I'm guessing the first thing that needs upgrading is the CPU, which is currently an E2200 with 1MB cache. What kind of cpu am I looking at here? I'd rather not have to upgrade the motherboard if possible, so limited to socket 775 at present. It's also got 2GB ram, is that sufficient?

tbz_ck · 10 Dec 2010 at 13:38

Are you transcoding on the fly??

platypus · 10 Dec 2010 at 14:48

Yes, I am playing on a Sony Bravia which whilst being a rather good TV in many respects, has an incredibly short list of supported formats. Sorry, forgot to mention that I'll be transcoding.

cottoneye · 14 Dec 2010 at 17:05

Thanks for the informative posts guys,

I’ve just placed an order for the HP MicroServer

When it comes to installation, the server comes with a 160GB HD which is the drive I want to use for the Windows install. Should I use the 160GB in the main swap bay area or should it be assigned to a separate SATA port on the MB, if so it looks pretty cramped in there I would probably need a cable and a bracket for the HD I assume? I was hoping to hot swap it along with 2 1TB Data Drives.

I assume RAID has to be switched turned off.

Thanks

cottoneye · 14 Dec 2010 at 17:07

PhillyDee said:
I stream to a PS3, I use Twonkyvision. It might be basically 2003 underneath, but it is stripped down, and easy to break.

Thanks Phil, I'll be using mine running AirVideo for iPad playback

tbz_ck said:
It is basically WIndows 2003 underneath. I have successfully remote desktop'ed into my WHS running on an HP MIcroserver and installed Spiceworks (www.spiceworks.com) in order to test remote site monitoring and help desk features. Not tried installing anything else so your mileage may vary.

Thanks for the link, looks great!

tbz_ck · 14 Dec 2010 at 18:08

cottoneye said:
Thanks for the informative posts guys,

I’ve just placed an order for the HP MicroServer

When it comes to installation, the server comes with a 160GB HD which is the drive I want to use for the Windows install. Should I use the 160GB in the main swap bay area or should it be assigned to a separate SATA port on the MB, if so it looks pretty cramped in there I would probably need a cable and a bracket for the HD I assume? I was hoping to hot swap it along with 2 1TB Data Drives.

I assume RAID has to be switched turned off.

Thanks

Mate, the HP Microserver comes with 4 non hot swap drive bays (and all the associated screws etc in the front door of the case). My mate had built an OOBE with all the necessary drivers since he is now selling HP Microservers with WHS as a home storage solution, so he imaged my 160GB disk with the relevant setup (including all the powerpacks). I then got it home, switched on and configured WHS applying all updates since PP3. Then inserted my newly purchased license key. Several days later I took delivery of the 2x 1TB disks I bought for it.

Adding the extra storage was a complete doddle. Power off, attach disks to caddy, insert caddies into bays, turn on, log into WHS, add storage, JOB DONE!

First backup of my machines over both wireless and 100Mbit/s router took an age (12 hours for my main desktop) but subsequent backups are differential so take less than 30 mins. Next job is to try a proper restore

platypus · 15 Dec 2010 at 16:36

I've been doing a bit of reading, and downloading directly to D:\shares is generally not advised, is it ok to be logging on via RDP and copying directly into it?